Woodinville City Council Candidate Forum: Get to Know the Candidates

Woodinville City Council Candidate Forum: Get to Know the Candidates

The Woodinville Chamber and Rotary Club of Woodinville will co-host a Woodinville City Council Candidate Forum, to be moderated by Michelle Millman, KIRO TV News anchor and Woodinville resident. The event is intended to give Woodinville voters an opportunity to get to know the candidates and learn their positions on issues that will affect the city. The entire community is cordially invited to attend.

Get to know the Candidates:

Position 1: Paula Waters

My goal if re-elected to City Council is to realize the vision of our downtown described in the City’s recently updated Comprehensive Plan. That means protecting and enhancing our neighborhoods while promoting a downtown that is walkable, bike-able, leafy, green, environmentally sustainable, culturally enriching, and architecturally exemplary, where interesting and smart people want to live with their families, where Woodinville’s empty-nesters can downsize, and where people who work here can live here too. It’s time to make this idea REAL.

I am a former Woodinville Planning Commissioner, elected chair 3 times; formerly active in parent-involved preschools; a former PACE parent; member of 21 Acres and the Sierra Club. I have served 4 years as City Council representative to regional transportation, solid waste, and salmon recovery boards and committees, and to the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce.

I am a member of the Class of 2018 of Leadership Eastside. I have a Bachelor of Liberal (interdisciplinary) Studies degree from the UW at Bothell. I am endorsed by the 45th District Democrats and the Sierra Club.

Position 3: James Evans

I grew up in Woodinville as a child near Cottage Lake, earning my Eagle Scout award in Boy Scout Troop 573. It was my family and involvement in these local activities that initially taught me the idea of “service above self”. My parents instilled the concept that teams of individuals working together are crucial to success, a value that I have carried into adulthood.

After studying economics and mathematics at the University of Washington, I remained in Woodinville with my wife and our two young sons because I loved the character of my community. I now work in public policy and strategy for a variety of clients, including my current role in Microsoft’s World-Wide Public Sector. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue serving on the Woodinville City Council, because in the next four years we will be challenged to balance our city’s opportunities with the preservation of its character.

EXPERIENCE: City of Woodinville, Council Position 3

EDUCATION and OCCUPATION: B.S. Economics, University of Washington; Manager, Government & Healthcare, Microsoft

Position 5: Susan Boundy-Sanders

It’s been an honor to serve on the Woodinville City Council for the past eight years. During the recession, we used the downtime to plan for our next thirty years as a city. By focusing Woodinville’s population growth and infrastructure investment downtown we’ve accommodated our share of the region’s growth projections without upzoning neighborhoods. We’ve also made progress on downtown architectural standards, rehabilitation of the Old Woodinville Schoolhouse, and congestion reduction.

But there’s more to do! Woodinville must press hard to avoid a garbage transfer station inside city limits. Proposed King County zoning changes threaten farming in the Sammamish Valley. Locally, there are congestion and pedestrian projects that could languish without support from the City Council.

Woodinville’s citizens lose time with their families because of traffic congestion. I have a personal goal of creating a Park & Ride and transportation system that encourages transit use. That’s a win for transit riders as well as drivers who face less crowded roads as a result of transit ridership. There are also painful intersections all over town, and not nearly enough nonmotorized routes for bicyclists and pedestrians. I’m committed to spending our precious capital dollars on citizens’ priorities.

Position 5: Gary Harris

I am running for Council because I care about our city and feel we need fresh, responsible leadership.

My Priorities: To preserve the small-town rural feel of Woodinville. Change is inevitable and we need to manage that change, not just allow it to happen. To work with all stakeholders to facilitate a solution to the railroad trestle that continues to be an impediment to traffic. I envision a bike/pedestrian walkway for multi-use of the train corridor. To maintain the public areas in Woodinville so that they remain clean and safe. To listen to all constituents and work diligently to make our downtown area a vibrant place to work, live and play.

My Background: Lived in the Woodinville area for over 45 years. Owner of Hideaway Lodge Bed and Breakfast. Pharmacist and former member and chair of the state Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. President of the U of W pharmacy alumni association and School of Pharmacy co-chair for the University Campaign. Past PTA president and Golden Acorn recipient, homeowners’ association president, church council officer.

I would be honored to serve you as a Woodinville City Council member!

Position 7: Bernie Talmas

Since taking office eight years ago I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. Under my leadership we have restored Woodinville’s financial stability and established professionalism and respect at Council meetings. City processes have been streamlined, reducing costs and providing funds for roads, paving, flood control and the purchase of open space for parks. We’ve preserved existing residential zoning while approving development and new roads downtown. We saved the Carol Edwards Center, enlisting the YMCA for operations, increasing programming and saving over $1,000,000 annually. I’ll continue supporting our wine and tourist industries, opposing the development of Sammamish Valley farmland.

Position 7: Brad Walker

I am a husband, father and an avid community member. My wife and I live in the Wellington area with our two young boys who attend Wellington Elementary. She is a Speech Language Pathologist for the Northshore School District and I work in Commercial Construction. I am a former member of the Woodinville Parks commission.

I am not a politician. I don’t have years of political obligations and constraints to live up to. I do have a family and Woodinville is our home. I will work to make sure it stays a great place, for all of us who are lucky enough to call Woodinville our home!

My grassroots campaign will be simple and focused on the issues facing our city. I have promised my family, friends and neighbors to serve Woodinville with an open mind and with the understanding that while I will not always agree with those I will serve with, their voice is just as important as mine, and their message deserves to be heard.

I have not asked for, nor will I seek the endorsement from individuals, businesses, politicians or political groups. The citizens of Woodinville can show their support by voting for me in November.

Woodinville City Council Candidate Forum:

We hope you will join us on September 21, 2017 at 7:00pm as we get to know each of these candidates for Woodinville City Council.

Special thanks to The Pizza Coop & Ale House for providing the evening’s refreshments.